Intercellular Immunofluorescence in Chemically Induced Squamous Epithelial Tumors of Mouse Skin

Forty-five chemically induced benign and malignant squamous cell tumors of the skin of C101 mice were examined by indirect immunofluorescence using sera from patients with active pemphigus vulgaris. These sera contained specific antibody to the intercellular substance of squamous epithelium. All benign and malignant squamous cell tumors showed positive intercellular fluorescence which, in general, was relatively weaker in the invasive carcinomas. These findings parallel observations in comparable lesions in man and other animals, and suggest subtle antigenic changes in malignant squamous cells